SBIR Phase I: Development of a Differential Long-Path Spectrophotometer for On-line Measurements of Controlled Halogenated Organic Compounds in Potable Water

这个小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目涉及差分长径分光光度计（DLS）的开发，用于在线测量饮用水消毒时形成的卤化有机物种（消毒副产物，或DBPs）。将要开发的工具将消除供水公司目前在监测和控制dbp方面所面临的主要困难。具体来说，虽然目前的分析非常昂贵和耗时，但新仪器将提供廉价和几乎即时的数据，使公用设施能够实时监测DBP的形成，并在DBP浓度超过可接受范围时迅速作出反应。DLS的关键技术特点是能够高精度地测量由于向饮用水中添加氯而引起的天然有机物质（NOM）的相对较小的光吸收变化（差分吸收）。这些变化将与形成的单个dbp的浓度以及表征溶液中氯化dbp总浓度的复合参数-总有机卤素（TOX）有关。DLS背后的关键概念是差分吸光度和目标化合物浓度之间的极强相关性，这是本提案的分包商首先确定的。量化dbp形成所需的DLS测量快速且廉价。它们不涉及使用任何有毒化学品或有机溶剂。因此，DLS仪器将满足社会、工程和分析需求，并将填补分析仪器市场现有的利基市场。第一阶段项目将包括设计和组装一个或两个可工作的DLS原型，并在实验室和现场条件下对原型进行初步测试。第二阶段将涉及原型的全面开发和测试，以及对性能参数（例如灵敏度、动态范围、稳定性）的广泛评估，并将产生经过测试和校准的原型设备。红杉资本打算进行上市转型。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project is concerned with the development of a Differential Long-path Spectrophotometer (DLS) for on-line measurements of halogenated organic species that are formed when potable water is disinfected (disinfection by-products, or DBPs). The instrument to be developed will eliminate major difficulties that water utilities currently face in their efforts to monitor and control DBPs. Specifically, whereas at present the analyses of interest are extremely costly and time-consuming, the new instrument will provide inexpensive and virtually instantaneous data, allowing utilities to monitor DBP formation in real time and to respond rapidly if DBP concentrations exceed acceptable bounds. The key technical feature of the DLS will be its ability to measure, with high precision, the relatively small changes in light absorbance by natural organic matter (NOM) caused by addition of chlorine to potable water (the differential absorbance). These changes will be correlated with the concentration of individual DBPs formed and of a composite parameter characterizing the total chlorinatedDBP concentration in solution, the total organic halogen (TOX). The key concept behind DLS is the extremely strong correlation, first identified by sub-contractors of this proposal, between the differential absorbance and the concentration of the target compounds. The DLS measurements needed to quantify the formation of DBPs are fast and inexpensive. They do not involve the use of any toxic chemicals or organic solvents. Thus, the DLS instrument will address social, engineering and analytical needs and will fill an existing niche in the market of analytical instrumentation. The Phase I project will include the design and assembly of one or two working DLS prototypes and initial testing of the prototype(s) under laboratory and field conditions.Phase II will involve full development and tests of the prototypes and extensive evaluation of the performance parameters (e.g., sensitivity, dynamic range, stability), and will result in a tested and calibrated prototype device. Sequoia intends to carry out the transition to market.